Motorways in the Czech Republic: Vignette prices, toll roads, fuel prices at gas stations

The road network in the Czech Republic consists of highways and roads for motor vehicles. The former are primarily to connect with each other major Czech cities, but also to co-create international transport corridors. Motorways in the Czech Republic, with the exception of short sections of the beltways of major cities, are paid, so you need to buy a vignette to travel around them.

Currently, this is only a form of sticker that needs to be placed on the windshield of the vehicle, but from 2021 this is to change in favor of the e-vignette.

We will write about vignettes in the Czech Republic later in this guide. Now let’s focus on the freeways themselves.

Highways in the Czech Republic

Currently, the total length of highways in the Czech Republic is over 1,200 kilometers. There are almost 80 additional kilometers under construction, and in the future the total number of this type of roads is to be over 2,100 kilometers.

Motorways in the Czech Republic are managed by the Directorate of Roads and Motorways.

Highways in Czech Republic / Current map / Source: Wikipedia.
Highways in Czech Republic / Current map / Source: Wikipedia.

Motorways in the Czech Republic are marked with the letter D and numbers: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 35, 43, 46, 48, 49, 52, 55 and 56. Their total the length is exactly 1243 kilometers, or 58% of what is planned.

Let’s get to know the markings of all highways in the Czech Republic:

  1.     D0 – is the beltway of the Czech capital Prague
  2.     D1 – connects the west of the country with the east and is also the longest road in the Czech Republic. It connects Prague with Brno, Vyskov, Kroměříž, Przerov, Lipnik nad Becvou, Ostrava and all the way to Věřňovice.
  3.     D2 – is in turn a fragment of the international route E65 connecting Brno with Břeclav.
  4.     D3 – ultimately this highway will connect the capital of the Czech Republic with Tabor, České Budějovice up to Dolni Trebonin.
  5.     D4 – this highway is almost 90 km long and connects Prague with the city of Pribram
  6.     D5 – is a highway connecting Prague with Pilzno and further up to the border with Germany in Rozvadov
  7.     D6 – this route leads from the Czech capital, through Karlovy Vary, up to Cheb.
  8.     D7 – highway that connects Prague with Chomutov.
  9.     D8 – connects the capital of the Czech Republic with Roudnice nad Labem, Lovosice, Usti nad Labem, to Petrovice at Chabarovice.
  10.     D10 – another part of the international E65 route that connects Prague with Turnov.
  11.     D11 – is a section of the highway that connects the Czech capital with Hradec Kralove and Jaromer.
  12.     D35 – is a fragment of the European route E442, it currently connects Olomouc and Lipnik nad Becvou.
  13.     D43 – construction of this motorway is planned and it is to connect Brno with Moravska Trebova.
  14.     D46 – is a section of the international route that connects Olomouc with the D1 highway
  15.     D48 – this highway is still under construction. It will eventually connect Belotín, Frydek-Místek with Český Těšín.
  16.     D49 – is a highway planned for construction, which is to connect the D1 road with the Slovak border.
  17.     D52 – is part of the European route E461, which connects Brno, the D1 highway and Pohorelice. In the future, it will connect to the Austrian border in Mikulov.
  18.     D55 – this is a section of the highway that will eventually connect Olomouc with Břeclav.
  19.     D56 – in turn is a short (12 km) section of the highway that connects Ostrava with Frydek-Mistek.

It is also worth adding that until the end of 2015, there were motorways and expressways in the Czech Republic. However, only highways have been operating since 2016. Some express roads have become part of the motorway network, while those of a lower standard have become roads for motor vehicles.

Now let’s discuss the vignettes mentioned above. See how much the vignettes cost in the Czech Republic, where to buy them and for how long?

Vignettes in the Czech Republic

The first and basic thing! Vignettes in the Czech Republic are not mandatory. However, to travel on highways you have to buy them. As for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes, you should buy a vignette in the form of a sticker and attach it to the windscreen.

Trucks and cars over 3.5 tonnes have their toll system in the form of tolls. Motorcycles, on the other hand, are completely exempt from the cost of traveling on motorways in the Czech Republic.

Sections of Czech highways for which you do not have to pay are, as we have already mentioned – mainly bypasses of large cities, such as: Ostrava, Brno, Pilsen or even parts of the road around Prague.

In addition, the D6 motorway (Karlovy Vary to Cheb) and part of the D8 are free – from Ústí nad Labem to the German border.

Map of free roads in the Czech Republic

Map of free roads in the Czech Republic / See where you don't have to have a vignette in the Czech Republic! Source: motorway.cz
Map of free roads in the Czech Republic / See where you don’t have to have a vignette in the Czech Republic! Source: motorway.cz

Here we will add signs for free and toll sections of motorways in the Czech Republic:

Toll highway in the Czech Republic
Toll highway in the Czech Republic
Free highway in the Czech Republic
Free highway in the Czech Republic

Types of vignettes in the Czech Republic

In the Czech Republic, we have three types of vignettes to choose from, divided according to how long the motorways are used:

  1.     10-day vignette – marked with the letter D, valid from the marked date for the next ten calendar days.
  2.     monthly vignette – marked with the letter M, valid from the marked date to exactly the same next month (e.g. from May 5 to June 5). However, if you buy a vignette, e.g. on January 31, then the vignette is valid until the last day of the following month (e.g. until February 28).
  3.     annual vignette – marked with the letter R, its validity is 12 months, but bought in December e.g. 2019 will be valid throughout 2020, until January 31, 2021.

How much does a vignette cost in the Czech Republic? Let’s see!

Vignette prices in the Czech Republic

The price of the vignette in the Czech Republic, as everywhere depends on the time for which you want to buy it, and so:

  1.     10 day vignette costs CZK 310 (Czech crowns)
  2.     monthly vignette costs CZK 440
  3.     an annual vignette costs CZK 1500

See what the current vignettes look like in the Czech Republic:

10 days vignette in the Czech Republic
10 days vignette in the Czech Republic
Monthly vignette in the Czech Republic
Monthly vignette in the Czech Republic
Annual vignette in the Czech Republic
Annual vignette in the Czech Republic

Since you know how they look and what is the price of vignettes in the Czech Republic, it is worth checking where to buy vignettes in the Czech Republic.

Where can you buy vignettes in the Czech Republic?

It is best to buy vignettes just after crossing the Czech border, as it happens that buying ahead of the Czech border may be associated with inflated prices (up to 30%). In addition, vignettes in the Czech Republic are guaranteed to be sold at a fixed price.

You can buy vignettes at gas stations, at former border crossings, at the post office, in Albert or Globus stores and many other outlets marked with a special sticker. You can check their list here by entering the city where you are or to which you are going.

Ok, you already have the Czech vignette … what now? Where to stick it?

What to do with the vignette after purchase?

After purchasing a vignette, follow the instructions on the card. First of all, complete the registration number box by entering it with a pen in the two places indicated.

You must also, if the seller has not done it before, punch the vignette with the date from when it is to apply. You don’t punch the annual vignette because it has a predetermined period of validity.

Then stick the greater part of it to the windshield, and keep the smaller part for

Where to put the Czech vignette
Where to put the Czech vignette

possible inspection. The glued vignette must be clearly visible, so it’s best to put it in the bottom right corner. All invalid vignettes must also be removed.

The peeled-off vignette is no longer suitable for re-sticking. If the car’s registration numbers change, the vignette cannot be exchanged. In the event of an inspection, a document confirming the change of registration numbers should be presented.

What threatens you if you do not have a valid and current vignette in the Czech Republic?

A fine for no vignette

Lack of a valid vignette may result in a fine of CZK 5,000 to 15,000, payable in cash. If legal proceedings occur, then you may face a fine of up to CZK 100,000.

The vignette without registration numbers not affixed to the glass or filled with pencil is invalid. Also, the lack of the bottom part of the vignette and a greater number of vignettes stuck on the glass may be fined.

Now a few words about speed limits on highways in the Czech Republic.

What else is worth knowing about car traffic in the Czech Republic?

The speed limits in the Czech Republic are:

  1.     130 km / h on the highway (up to 80km / h in built-up areas)
  2.     110 km / h on expressways (up to 80km / h in built-up areas)
  3.     90 km / h outside built-up areas
  4.     50 km / h in built-up areas

It is better to adhere to these values, because the Czech police are very sensitive to speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol and other prohibited drugs. The ticket for exceeding the speed limit even for just a few kilometers can be from 1,500 to 10,000 CZK.

In addition, if the limit is significantly exceeded (by about 20 km / h), the police may additionally punish the driver with a driving ban in the Czech Republic for a period of one month to six months.

On the other hand, driving a car under the influence of alcohol and drugs is punishable by up to CZK 50,000. Plus you get a driving ban in the Czech Republic for up to two years. If you do not agree to a blood test for alcohol, you will also be treated like a drunk person.

Not only that, any violation of traffic rules is punishable by penalty points. After collecting over twelve points, you get a driving ban in the Czech Republic for a year and your driving license is temporarily removed. If you still drive the car, then there is a bonus in the form of a penalty from 25,000 to 50,000 CZK. You can also earn a ticket by parking in areas designated for disabled people.

From a driver’s point of view at the highway in the Czech Republic:

What else should you pay attention to?

In addition, in the Czech Republic you need:

  •      use low beam all year round
  •     ride in a fastened seat belt
  •      the car must have a first aid kit, triangle and reflective vest, spare fuses and bulbs as well as wheel wrench, car jack and spare wheel.
  •      children up to 150cm and up to 36 kg must ride in child seats
  •      standing in a traffic jam on the highway, you need to create a free lane for emergency vehicles
  •      Winter tires are compulsory from November 1 to March 31 if weather conditions require
  •      You must use the speakerphone to talk on the phone while driving
  •      in the event of serious accidents you must always notify the police

Finally, some important information:

Motorways in the Czech Republic / Vignettes: price, where to buy, and where to stick? Fuel price at a gas station in the Czech Republic!
Motorways in the Czech Republic / Vignettes: price, where to buy, and where to stick? Fuel price at a gas station in the Czech Republic!

Important telephone numbers in the Czech Republic

International emergency number – 112

Ambulance – 155

Fire brigade – 150

Police – 158

City police – 156

How much for fuel in the Czech Republic at gas stations?

Average fuel prices at gas stations in the Czech Republic

Pb 95 – 30.50 CZK

Pb98 – CZK 32.80

ON – CZK 29.80

LPG – CZK 15

Opinions on highways in the Czech Republic

Let me know in your comments what your opinions are about highways in the Czech Republic, their vignettes and their fines and fuel prices.

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